Deng Xiaoping admired Lee Kuan Yew, visited Singapore, and copied his approach in reforming the Chinese economy, starting with the Special Economic Zone in Guangdong, which included delegating substantial power to the local secretary, later governor, Xi Zhongxun ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xi_Zhongxun#As_Guangdong's_top...

... the father of Xi Jinping.